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(New York, NY) — New York City is allocating one million dollars to Animal Care Centers days after the shelter system hit intake capacity this week. The Animal Care Centers stopped accepting animal drop offs this week for the first time in its 30 year history. Mayor Adams says the new funding will go towards increasing capacity to better care for the shelter populations in Manhattan and Queens and support the hiring of 14 additional staff for these locations.
Animal Care Centers have close to 1,000 animals in cages, which is a much higher number than usual. Kate Hansen, who helps run ACC says they are working hard to convince families who want to surrender pets to hold onto them, or ask a family member or friend to take them in. Hansen says it’s been decades since they’ve been forced to turn away surrenders.
Pet owners trying to drop off cats and dogs say don’t have time for them, or don’t have money to care for them any longer. Others say they have to surrender pets because they have developed new allergies. Hansen says they try to financially help those who are having a hard time buying food or paying for vet visits. ACC is still doing adoptions and emergency care, but won’t accept animal drop offs.
